Gaming moves fast. Every year we’re hit with waves of sequels, remakes, and reboots—but what about the ones that never made it past the last generation? Some game franchises didn’t just fade into the background—they vanished altogether. Yet for many of us, they still hold a place in our hearts (and on our old memory cards). So, what would it take to bring them back in 2025?
One we have wanted for a long time was Croc: Legend of the Gobbos. The 90s were packed with 3D platform mascots, but few were as charming (or overlooked) as Croc. With quirky levels, hidden secrets, and that iconic tail swipe, it was a childhood classic for many. And guess what? It’s coming back.
There’s already a Croc: Legend of the Gobbos remaster on the way—[you can read more about it here]. It’s the perfect time to remind players what made it special.
But what other game franchises would we like to see?
The three top game franchises we’d like to be revived
SSX – Snowboarding with style
The SSX series didn’t just make snowboarding cool—it made it feel like an extreme sport fever dream. With its over-the-top tricks, electric soundtracks and arcade-style energy, SSX Tricky remains a high point of the genre.
- 2025 reboot pitch: Lean into stylish visuals, bring in cross-platform online play and blend Tony Hawk-style customisation with dynamic weather effects and evolving mountains.
Burnout – Chaos on four wheels
Before open-world racers took over, Burnout delivered pure arcade adrenaline. The Crash Mode alone was worth the price of admission, rewarding chaos in the most satisfying way possible.
- 2025 reboot pitch: Combine a fresh Crash Mode with destruction-based multiplayer arenas, plus a campaign focused on vehicular carnage over realism.
TimeSplitters – FPS with a twist
TimeSplitters never took itself too seriously—sci-fi time travel, absurd characters, and chaotic multiplayer defined its appeal. While a new entry has been teased for years, we’re still waiting.
- 2025 reboot pitch: Keep the humour, add co-op campaign support, and introduce a modern map editor to let players create their own FPS madness.
Other game franchises crying out for a comeback
- Jet Set Radio: Still unmatched in style and sound.
- Midnight Club: Street racing that felt raw and gritty.
- Project Gotham Racing: The thinking person’s arcade racer.
- Onimusha: Samurai action-meets-horror that deserves another swing.
- The Movies: Ahead of its time in the sandbox simulation scene.
What makes a good reboot in 2025?
It’s not just about nostalgia—it’s about respecting the essence of a game while giving it room to breathe in the modern era. Whether that’s tighter mechanics, online infrastructure or just better UI, these game franchises need more than a new coat of paint—they need vision.
Because in the end, some games aren’t forgotten… we’re just still waiting for the right people to bring them back.
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